A dangerous and complex rescue operation unfolded at Unicoi Hospital in Eastern Tennessee. On Friday 61 patients and staff were stranded for hours on the hospital’s rooftop due to severe flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.
The rising waters of the Nolichucky River engulfed the first floor of the hospital, leaving no option but to move patients and personnel to the roof as rescue units battled high winds and hazardous conditions.
Rescue Operation Underway
Unicoi County Emergency Management Agency issued an urgent evacuation notice to Ballad Health, prompting immediate action.
Ballad Health’s Chief Medical Officer for the region arrived on the scene to oversee the rescue efforts, while communication with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) began to coordinate the evacuation.
Ballad Health posted updates on the situation via X, stating, “At 9:38 am on Friday, September 27, Ballad Health received notice from the Unicoi County Emergency Management Agency of a need to evacuate Unicoi County Hospital due to unusually high and rising water from the Nolichucky River.”
